Uptake Of HIV Self-Testing At The Work Place; A Case Of Homabay County

Abstract

HIV self testing is a process where an individual collects their own sample, conducts an HIV test, and interprets their own result in an easy, safe and confidential manner. The importance of knowing one’s HIV status cannot be overemphasized and self testing now offers everyone an opportunity to know their status on their own. Self testing can be used by anyone that suspects exposure to the infection. The Kenyan Ministry of Health has approved two types of kits to be used for self testing and these are now readily available in both public and private health facilities, as well as in private pharmacies. The first is ORAQUICK HIV kit which uses oral fluid (saliva) as the test sample, while the second is Insti HIV kit which uses blood as the test sample. These kits are currently retailing at about 500 Kenya shillings each. The rollout of HIV self test kits and guidelines offers an innovative approach for Kenya to move closer to the ambitious 95:95:95 targets set out by the United Nations. The self test kits contribute towards the country achieving the first 95, which targets 95% of the population knowing their HIV status by the year 2030. According to the Kenya Aids Indicator Survey done in 2012, 72% of the respondents in the survey indicated that they were willing to perform the HIV self-testing if provided with the relevant equipment. It should be noted that in case of a positive self-test, it is important that one gets a confirmatory test done at their nearest health facility. When a person has knowledge of their HIV status, they are better placed to make informed choices about their health and lifestyle. Kenyans are encouraged to know their HIV status by using HIV testing services at their nearest health service provider or by buying a HIV self test kit. This project did a passive surveillance of hospital inpatient and outpatient HIV testing rates and found them to be 68% and 87% respectively while among healthcare workers the rate was 38%. The project then sensitized and rolled out self testing using OraQuick kits at Homabay county health offices, Homabay county referral hospital and all 8 sub counties namely Homabay town, Mbita, Suba, Ndhiwa, Rangwe, Karachuonyo, Kabondo and Kasipul. OraQuick was used due to ease of administration (Insti HIV kit uses blood sample). The project brainstormed with the relevant staff on the necessary public health action to take to improve the testing rates. Availing and training staff on self test kits as implemented in this project aimed to improve on the HIV testing rates.